Gasholder



y 6, 1952 H. c. BRINKMAN ET AL 2,596,066

GASHOLDER Filed April 14, 1948 2 SHEETS-4mm 1 1 12 2 INVENTORb.

Hodmi' QBM Karl 'E- Udrw 'BY wovi1 'wa.)Hww-n wuv ATTORNEYS.

y 6, 1952 H. c. BRINKMAN ETAL 2,596,066 GASHOLDER Filed April 14, 1948 7 2 Sl-iEETS--SHEET 2 RJUM BY wwdm W ATTORNEYS,

Patented May 6, 1952 GASHOLDER Herbert C. Brinkman and Karl R. Weber, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignors to Stacey Bros. Gas Con struction Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, at corporation of Ohio Application April 14, 1948, Serial No. 21,055

2 Claims. 1

holders of the type known in the industry as a telescopic wet seal or lift type holder. A holder of this nature conventionally embodies a stationary tank with a series of holder sections or lifts telescopically nested within the tank. These lifts are sealed relative to each other and to the tank by means of a liquid seal formed usually by water contained in the tank. The lift sections thus are free to rise as gas is forced into the holder to vary the volumetric capacity of the holder and maintain the gas at constant pressure.

The present invention resides in a single-lift gas holder following this general principle of operation. The improved holder is designed primarily for the storage of water or liquid soluble gases such as process gases although it can be used for ordinary gases as well. In storing water soluble gases, the gas saturates the water and since the outer portion of the seal is exposed to the atmosphere, there is a continuing loss of gas due to the gas in solution passing into the atmosphere.

In order to prevent this absorption it is necessary to provide special sealin liquids or com-: ,2

pounds between the tank and lift sections, of a kind not capable of absorbing the gas. For example in the storage of nitrogen gas saturated with water-soluble organic compounds, octyl alcohol is used as the sealing compound. It will be evident that such sealing liquids are quite expensive and must be protected from contamination of rain water and other substances carried in the atmosphere. In other words when such sea-ling liquid is exposed to the atmosphere it; tends to become diluted by water and to lose its sealing capacity since the water contained in the liquid may render it quite absorbent. It will be evident therefore that dilution of the sealing compound by water and other air borne mate-: rials is quite detrimental.

The present structure embodies a single lift section, movable relative to a tank as distinguished from multiple lift holders. The volume of sealing liquid is reduced to a minimum by the: provision. of a relatively narrow sealing trough surrounding the lift section. The sealing compound within this trough is protected from the elements by means of an outside lift shell forming a part of the lift structure. arrangement thereby makes possible the use of relatively expensive sealing compounds since the volume required is only a fraction of the volume of water ordinarily used in conventional lift holders. Furthermore, the sealing compound is The improved a protected from the elements so that contamination is prevented. This maintains the holder at peak efficiency and prevents excessive evaporation of sealing liquid.

A primary object of the invention has been to provide a gas holder requiring a minimum amount of sealing liquid so that relatively expensive compounds may be employed to suit the particular sealing requirements for various kinds of gas at minimum cost.

A further object has been to provide a holder which protects the sealing compound from contamination by rain water and which retards evaporation of the sealing compound.

A further object has been to provide a structure which incorporates an arrangement by means of which condensates from the gas may be recovered from the holder for reuse.

' Briefly, it is the concept of the invention to provide a holder constituting a double shell tank providing a relatively narrow sealing trough to reduce sealing fluid capacity to a minimum, and to provide a double shell lift structure having its inner shell confined in the trough between the spaced shells of the tank and having its outer shell overhanging the tank to enclose and protect the sealing compound contained in the trough.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully disclosed in the specification with reference to the accompanying draw ings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional View through the holder assembly illustrating the holder in deflated position.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view partially broken away showing the opposite side of the holder assembly in inflated position.

Figure 3 is a top plan view further illustrating the structural details of the holder.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line i, Figure 3, illustrating the apparatus for the recovery of condensates from the interior of the holder.

Fi ure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 55, Figure 3, illustrating the gas supply fitting for the holder.

Generally described with reference to Figure 1, the improved holder constitutes a stationary tank structure generally indicated at ill and a holder or lift structure generally indicated at ll. Preferably the tank and lift are cylindrical in form. The tank is mounted upon a bottom plate l2 and is stationary, while the holder is telescopically disposed relative to the tank and is arranged to change its elevation to vary the volumetric capacity of the holder as gas is introduced into or withdrawn from the holder. The tank structure has an open top, whereas the lift structure is provided with a crown l3 which provides a closure for retaining the gas. Following the general principl of liquid seal gas holders, the lift structure is sealed with reference to the tank structure by means of a liquid seal generally indicated at I4.

More specifically described, the tank structure is made up of an outer shell l5 and an inner shell 16. The inner shell is of smallerdiameter than the outer shell to provide an annular space or trough I! for the sealing liquid.

The lift structure comprises a double wall arrangement, there being provided an inner lift shell disposed within the trough I'I forming a dam, and an outer lift shell 2| disposed to the outside of the. outer tank shell l5. Lift shells 26 and 2| have their upper edges joined to the crown I3 and move in unison relative to the tank shell structure. Thus the gas is maintained under substantially constant pressure by the weight of the lift structure and the lift structure ascends or descends as gas is forced into or withdrawn from the holder.

In order to guide the lift assembly relative to the tank, guide rollers, tracked upon guide rails, are provided respectively at the upper and lower edges of the lift. For this purpose a series of guide rollers 22 is provided around the circumference at the upper edge of the crown l3. Pairs of guide rollers 23-23 are provided at the skirt or lower edge of the outer lift shell. These rollers are disposed between inner and outer guide rails 24 and 25, and the upper rollers are tracked upon the outer rails 25. Thus the lift shell is stabilized and guided, and is free to move vertically relative to the tank.

The inner set of guide rails 24 is secured by welding or the like to the outer tank shell l5. These guide rails preferaby comprise I-beams and serve the additional function of stiffening the tank shell. The outer guide rails 25 likewise are formed of I-beams. These I-beams have their outer webs joined to channel irons 26 to provide greater stiffness (Figure 3). The guide rail and channel structures are trussed laterally by pairs of angle members 2I27. These are welded or riveted to the channels near the top and extend to the base of the holder where they are anchored as at 28. At the top, the guide rails and channels are tied one to another around the tank by structural members 29. The guide frame is further strengthened by angle members 30 which are welded to adjacent structural members 29.

Although this is the preferred construction of the guide frame, the arrangement may be modified to meet various conditions, depending upon the size and operating characteristics of the holder. Should the size and height of the holder so require, a guide frame of more elaborate design may be required and on the other hand a holder of decreased height may utilize a simplified guide frame.

The guide rollers 22 for the upperedge of the holder shell are journalled upon bearing shafts 3| carried in spaced brackets 32. These brackets are arranged in pairs, one on each side of the guide rollers 22, secured to the crown I3. In order to reinforce the crown structure, crown stiffening members 33 are welded to the crown.

These extend from the guide roller brackets 32 4 toward the center of the crown and terminate at the edge of the circular crown plate 34.

The lower outer rollers 23 likewise are journalled upon shafts 35 carried by spaced bracket plates 36, substantially in the same manner as the upper rollers. The lower rollers are considerably smaller than the upper ones and the bracket plates 36 extend from the outer shell 2!, being secured thereto by welding. These plates further are reinforced by an angle band 31 which extends around the skirt of the outer holder shell. The lower edges of'the bracket plates 36 preferably are welded also to the horizontal web of the angle band 31.

The inner rollers 23 also are joined to the angle band 37. These rollers are journalled upon shafts 3B engaged in spaced angle plates 40 secured by welding to the underside of the horizontal web of the angle band 31. The respective sets of rollers 23-23 and 24 are grooved as at M (see Figure 2) to provide flanges which overhang the guide rails so as to retain the rollers upon the guide rails.

In order to stabilize the lower edge or skirt of the inner lift shell 26, guide rollers 42 (Figure l) are located at spaced intervals around the periphery of the shell. These rollers are carried by bearing shafts 43 mounted in bearing brackets 44 which are secured to a fiat band 45, welded to the lower edge or the inner shell. The rollers 42 thus are confined between the inner and outer tank shells l5 and I6 to stabilize and center the lift shell 20 with reference to the spaced tank shells.

As shown in Figure 2, the holder or lift structure ll rises to an elevated position as determined by the quantity of gas in storage. Roller stops 46 are provided at the top of the guide frame to limit the upper movement of the holder assembly, the stops 46 serving to engage the rollers 22.

As shown in Figure '1, the upper edge of the outer tank shell I5 is reinforced by an angle band 41 welded to the edge of the tank shell. 'The interior of the inner tank shell l6 also is reinforced by a series of angle rings 48 welded or otherwise secured to the inner tank shell. Various other bracing structures may be incorporated in the design of'the holder as dictated by design.

As previously noted, the improved gas holder is designed for storage of liquid soluble gases of various kinds. In one instance for example, the apparatus is used to store nitrogen gas saturated with water soluble gases. In this instance octyl alcohol is used as the sealing compound instead of water. If water were used instead of alcohol, the water soluble gas would be absorbed into the water andsaturate it to a point determined by the pressure of the gas.

The inner lift shell 26 which is submerged in the liquid confined in the annular sealing trough ll, divides the seal in the manner of a dam. Since gas pressure is applied to that portion of the liquid confined between the inner lift shell 20 and inner tank shell l6, it forces the liquid level down in this area with a consequent rise in the level of the liquid on the outside of lift/shell 26. The gas pressure is equal to the weight of the liquid so displaced. Since the liquid to the outside of the shell 23 is under atmospheric pressure, a pressure differential exists. If a water seal were used with a water soluble gas, the gas absorbed in the water would pass off into the atmosphere from the water on the outside of shell 20. Itwill be apparent therefore'that the appropriate sealing fluid to be used in each case depends on the propertiesof the gas stored'and that various oils and other compounds may be utilized for the seal as determined by the particular kind of gas stored in the holder.

In the storage of gases, condensation may occur for various reasons. To prevent condensates from dripping or running down the walls of the inner lift shell 20, an annular shelf 53 is provided. This shelf is secured to the wall of the lift shell near the top preferably by welding as at 5 I. The shelf is supported by a series of hangers 52, also secured by welding. By reason of the domed contour of the crown I3, condensates normally tend to flow outwardly toward the shell then down the wall into the liquid seal. This is prevented by the shelf 50 which causes the condensed liquid to drip down to the floor or bottom plate I2.

As shown in Figure l, the bottom I2 of the holder is dished toward the center to cause the liquid to flow toward a central sump 53 and collect there. A drain pipe 55 (Figure 3) extends from the sump to the exterior of the holder, passing through the inner and outer tank shells I5 and I6. The pipe is sealed with reference to the shells by welding as at 56, to provide a leakproof joint. The sump may further be provided with an indicator pipe 51 paralleling the drain pipe 55. This pipe likewise extends from the sump through the shells I5 and I5, being sealed therein in the same manner as pipe 55. A suitable liquid level gauge may be connected to pipe 51 to indicate the level of liquid collected in the bottom of the holder. A pump may be connected to the drain pipe 55 to withdraw the liquid when a predetermined level is reached.

As shown in Figure 3, a liquid inlet fitting 58 opens into the annular trough I! to permit sealing liquid to be pumped into the trough. The same fitting may be used to drain the liquid and for this purpose it is located preferably toward the bottom of the seal. As shown in Figure 1, an overflow opening 60 is provided in the inner tank shell. This permits the excess sealing liquid to drain into the sump 53 to be pumped from the holder.

In order to prevent th accumulation of gases in the space between the outer holder shell and the inner holder shell a series of vent 6| are provided. These extend through the outer holder shell 2| and open into the atmosphere to permit gases to pass into the atmosphere.

As shown in Figure 3, the crown I3 is provided with a manhole 62 which may be bolted in P the usual manner to the crown and which is removable for access into the holder for inspection and. repairs. An explosion bonnet E3 likewise is provided in the crown. This bonnet serves to relieve excessive pressures which might otherwise lead to damage and thereby serves as a protective device for the holder.

A crown support column 64 is provided within the holder to support the crown when the holder assembly is in lowered position as shown in Figure 1. When gas is contained in the holder, the pressure of the gas supports the crown but when the holder is relieved of pressure the crown may deflect since no bracing structure is provided. Therefore, the column 64 sustains the crown at its center to prevent strains and possible damage when gas pressure is relieved.

As shown in Figure 4, a common gas inlet-outlet fittin 66 extends through the tank shells I5 and 15, opening into the interior of the holder.

The joints between the tank shells and fitting are welded as at 51 to prevent leakage of sealing fluid through these joints. The outer end of the fitting 66 is flanged in the usual manner to provide means for coupling a gas supply pipe. This supply pipe forms a part of the gas generating or distribution system as the case may be, and the holder provides a reservoir to maintain a supply of gas either under storage conditions or as a temporary storage tank to maintain the gas at a constant pressure. As the gas is generated or supplied it is forced under pressure into the holder causing the holder shell assembly to rise. As gas is withdrawn of course, the assembly descends so that the holder serves to compensate for variations between supply and demand.

It will be apparent that the sealing fluid is enclosed and protected by the outer holder shell 2I so that there is no possibility of contamination by rain water and other materials carried by the air. By reason of the design of the tank shells the volume of sealing fluid required is greatly reduced. The cost of maintenance thereby is reduced and it is practical to select various sealing fluids to suit the particular kind of gas. Thus a relatively expensive fluid may be required but since the volume is relatively small, the ultimate cost of gas storage is low.

The structure is exceedingly simple in design and the cost of maintenance and repair consequently is minimized. The amount of condensate within the holder can be ascertained at all times by the indicating apparatus provided. It is characteristic of certain kinds of gases, especially special process gases, to condense and liquefy. At times the loss by condensation represents a substantial cost item. The present structure provides that such condensate will collect in the sump from which it may be recovered and reused, thus effecting a saving for,,the user.

Having described our invention we claim:

1. A telescopic tank for the storage of gas comprising; a cylindrical tank constituting a pair of spaced shells providing an annular trough extending for the full height of the tank and adapted to contain a sealing liquid, a series of vertical stiffening rails secured to the outer surface of the outer tank shell in such a manner as to stiffen the same and further to provide roller guides, a lift structure constituting an inverted cylinder having a dome and having spaced annular walls adapted to telescopically .mate with the tank structure, the lift structure being substantially the same height as the height of the tank and having one of its walls interposed between the spaced walls of the tank structure and having a second wall disposed to the exterior of the tank structure, the said sealing liquid constituting a seal between the tank wall and the lift wall which is submerged therein permitting the lift structure to move vertically under the influence of gas pressure applied to the interior of the tank, a guide structure including vertical guide rails disposed in spaced relationship to one another around the lift structure, the guide rails being concentric with and spaced outwardly from the periphery of the lift structure, respective sets of outwardly facing upper and lower guide rollers secured to the lift structure at the upper and lower ends thereof in tracking engagement with the vertical guide rails to stabilize the lift structure in its vertical movements, and a series of inwardly facing rollers mounted upon the lower edge of the lift wall in tracking engagement with 7 the vertical stiffening rails which extend along the outer surface of the tank.

2. A telescopic gas holder comprising; a tank having an inner shell and an outer shell joined with a base to form an annular trough extending from the tank base to the top of the tank shell, said trough being adapted to contain sealing liquid, vertical rails secured to the outer tank shell so constructed and arrangedras to stiffen the outer tank shell and. to provide roller tracks, a lift structure telescopically disposed relative to said tank and having an inner shell confined within the annular trough, a crown secured to the top of said inner lift shell, an outer lift shell secured to said crown and surrounding the outer tank shell, a series of rollers secured to the lower edge of said inner lift shell engageable with the sides of the annular trough to guide the skirt of the inner lift shell, a second set of inwardly facing guide rollers secured to the outer lift shell engageable with the roller tracks of the outer tank shell, a series of outwardly facing guide rollers disposed around the periphery of the crown, and a second series of outwardly facing guide rollers secured to the lower edge of the outer lift shell, and a guide frame concentric with and disposed outwardly of the outer lift shell including a series of vertical rails which engage the outwardly facing rollers attached to the crown and lift shell to maintain the lift structure in vertical alignment.

HERBERT C. BRINKMAN.

KARL R. WEBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Davis Feb. 3, 1903 Ishikawa Apr. 5, 1932 Wilkin et al Apr. 21, 1942 Wiggins Nov. 28, 1944 Number 

